Moscow’s first day ‘back to work’ in photos

Photographer Evgeny Feldman’s snapshots of the Russian capital on the day after the end of the ‘non-working’ days

May 12 marked the end of the “non-working” days in Russia, which were introduced at the end of March in a bid to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Construction workers and industrial companies went back to work, and the capital began operating under a “mask regime” — Moscow’s residents are now required to wear both masks and gloves in stores, on public transport, and at work, or face fines of up to 5,000 rubles (about $68). In a special photo report for Meduza, photographer Evgeny Feldman took a walk around Moscow during rush hour, to see what the capital looks like during its first day back to work.

There are a few more people on the metro than there were last week. However, the subway cars are still half empty. The majority of the passengers really are wearing different coloured masks and gloves, made out of all kinds of materials.

There’s a business center under construction on Leningradsky Avenue. The workers say that it was still quiet here yesterday.

Young people sign a stack of documents outside of the “Aeroport” metro station. Their work is not linked to construction, so their office is closed and they have nowhere to go.

At the Belorussky Railway Station, next to the Belaya Square business center, Starbucks has opened back up again. The cafe’s employees are wearing masks while selling take-away coffee, and are thanking their customers for coming back.

A cleaner at a state-financed housing building on Tverskaya Street wears a protective suit, while disinfecting the building’s entryway, elevator, intercom, and mailboxes. She takes a photo of each step of the cleaning process on her phone.

On the benches and in the parapets at Triumfalnaya Square, couples sit and sunbathe, while trying to maintain social distancing.

Couriers, as well as the odd masked customers, have begun gathering near the McDonald’s. In general, there are less delivery people on the street — in April they made up the vast majority of passers-by.

There are noticeably less police officers around the city. They are mainly found standing near entrances to the metro and at the railway stations.

Even during rush hour the area around the Kievsky Railway Station has very few people, and they are clearly in no hurry.

Photographs by Evgeny Feldman for Meduza

Translation by Eilish Hart